CURLEY SELECTED LIBERTY LEAGUE

CO-FORWARD OF THE WEEK

Jan. 9: Senior forward Nora Curley (Madrid, NY) was named Co-Forward of the Week by the Liberty League for her efforts against three very competitive teams.

Curley had two outstanding efforts at the Holiday Inn-Naismith Women's Basketball Classic hosted by Springfield College, earning her All-Tournament team recognition. She scored 14 points and grabbed five rebounds in the Saints opener versus Trinity (TX), then went on to top those numbers versus the host team, totaling 16 points, six boards, and three steals.

The senior's hard work in the post for the Saints continued as they retunred home for a game versus Fredonia. Curley helped the Saints remain undefeated in the Burkman Gymnasium this season, scoring 18 points and grabbing six rebounds. She also had an assist, a steal, and a block in the 70-65 overtime victory over the Blue Devils.

SAINTS REMAIN UNDEFEATED AT

HOME,TOP FREDONIA IN OT

Jan. 5: The St. Lawrence University women’s basketball team regrouped after two tough losses at the Springfield Tournament, battling their way to a thrilling overtime victory versus SUNY Fredonia on Thursday evening, 70-65. Saints guard Jamie Wolff had 14 points in the win, including three made free throws with only eight seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.

The Saints and Blue Devils set a high tempo from the get-go, and there was little doubt the game was going to be a thriller. The Saints pulled out to an early 11-8 lead when first year Jenna Krzemien hit a jumper with just under fifteen minutes to play in the opening half. Fredonia and St. Lawrence exchanged baskets until the Blue Devils were able to tie the game with eight minutes to play in the first half at 17-17, and then took the lead thirty seconds later on a three pointer by Maria Scaffidi.

Fredonia would extend that first half lead to seven, but the Saints chipped away at it as the half wound down. After lay-ups from Nora Curley and Krzemien, the Blue Devil lead was at two, 26-24, with 2:19 to play in the first half. Curley would then knock down two free throws with 1:38 on the clock, closing the first half scoring and sending the teams to the locker room deadlocked at 26-26.

The second half offered much of the same energy and excitement that the first half provided, as both teams gave everything they had. The Saints grabbed a seven point lead behind junior Brittany Gaetano’s clutch shooting with 14:37 to play in regulation. St. Lawrence couldn’t keep that lead, though, and Fredonia knotted the score again when Lisa Gentile hit a three pointer with 10:27 to play in the game.

The teams exchanged leads throughout the next eight minutes, neither ever gaining an advantage over three points. Gaetano converted two free throws to tie the game at 56-56 with 1:20 on the clock. However, Fredonia’s Michelle Bull responded with two clutch free throws of her own, giving her team a two point cushion. Teammate Maria Scaffidi then stepped to the line after the Saints failed to make either of their free throw attempts. Scaffidi was able to make one of two shots, giving the Blue Devils a 59-56 lead with 23 seconds on the clock.

The Saints got the ball into perhaps their best shooters hands, as Jamie Wolff took a feed behind the three point line, where she was fouled by Scaffidi on her three point attempt. The sophomore guard stepped to the line and made all three of her free throws with only eight seconds on the clock, tying the game at 59-59 and sending the game to overtime.

St. Lawrence looked energized from the comeback, and took a two point lead in the extra frame. The game was then tied for the 12 th time when Danielle Bleecker converted a jump shot with 3:24 to play. After a Fredonia free throw make, Jamie Wolff took the ball strong to the basket and made a lay-up with 1:10 to go, giving the Saints a 65-64 lead. That lead was pushed to three when Jessica Smith stole the ball and got it to Krzemien who made perhaps her biggest bucket of the season, giving the Saints a four point lead at 68-64 with a mere 30 seconds to play. Although Fredonia would climb back to within three, two more clutch free throws off the hand of Jamie Wolff would ice the game and keep the Saints undefeated at home this season.

Wolff finished the game with 14 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 39 minutes of play. Nora Curley was also a key contributor for St. Lawrence, as she added 18 points and six rebounds. Fredonia was led by Cheryl Kindzia’s 19 points and 10 rebounds and Danielle Bleecker’s 16 points and four rebounds.

The Saints will be in action on Tuesday, January 10 th as they visit North Country rival Plattsburgh. Tip off is set for 6:00pm.